Armed forces to share war machines for the sake of efficiency<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Defense is considering a system that will enable
\nthe three branches of the Indonesian Military (TNI) to share
\nequipment to save money.<\/p>\n
\"The aim will be to encourage cooperation among the three
\narmed forces so we can use our budgets efficiently and
\neffectively. For example, the Army, Navy and Air Force could
\nshare helicopters and planes,\" Minister of Defense Juwono
\nSudarsono said.<\/p>\n
Juwono is currently in the United States for talks on the
\nresumption of military relations between the two countries. The
\nU.S. imposed an arms embargo on Indonesia in 1992 following a
\nTNI-led massacre of civilians in Dili, East Timor, which later
\nseparated from Indonesia in 1999.<\/p>\n
According to the minister, only 30 percent of the military
\nbudget would be spent on arms sale, while the rest would be used
\nto pay the soldiers' salaries and maintain equipment.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has some 250,000 soldiers.<\/p>\n
Despite the proposal for a significant increase in military
\nspending during the upcoming state budget revision, Juwono said
\nhe was prepared for bad news.<\/p>\n
The House approved a Rp 21.9 trillion (US$2.38 billion)
\nmilitary budget for the 2005 fiscal year, slightly up from Rp
\n21.4 trillion last year and Rp 11.53 trillion in 2003.<\/p>\n
\"It's a big figure. We are one of the departments that got the
\nbiggest budget allocation. The problem is, that it is only
\nsufficient to cover a half of our minimum needs, therefore we
\nhave to use this money as effectively and efficiently as
\npossible,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said
\nthe TNI, through the Ministry of Defense, would propose a
\nsignificant increase in military spending this year to revive and
\nmodernize all of its war machines.<\/p>\n
Due to the limited state budget, the military has been allowed
\nto run businesses. The TNI claims, however, proceeds from the
\nbusinesses are mostly spent on soldiers' welfare.<\/p>\n
Critics have blamed the businesses for hampering
\nprofessionalism in the TNI, and warned of corruption due to lack
\nof transparency in the management of the military's businesses.<\/p>\n
Juwono said his ministry was working hard to reorganize the
\nmilitary businesses and make them more accountable and
\nprofessional for the sake of the military's rank and file.<\/p>\n
\"We will start compiling all data about military businesses
\nthis month. We are expected to finish in October,\" he said.<\/p>\n
To reorganize the businesses, the defense ministry would
\ncooperating with the industry, justice and human rights and the
\nfinance ministries.<\/p>\n
\"The industry ministry will handle the management of the
\nmilitary business to make it professional, the justice ministry
\nwill take care of its legal aspects, while the finance ministry
\nis involved because the revenue from the business will go into
\nstate coffers,\" Juwono said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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